GB2165518A - Container for storing disposable hypodermic syringes - Google Patents

Abstract

A container for storing a disposable hypodermic syringe provides protection for a syringe and needle, is capable of holding a sterilizing or antiseptic solution, and allows otherwise disposable hypodermic syringes to be reused as long as they remain in satisfactory condition. The container is formed so that the upper portion of a disposable syringe will be held within a cylindrical upper portion 20 of the container with the syringe handle 33 resting on a shelf 22 and such that the needle will not be in danger of striking the base 16 or body of the container. The body of the container is generally frustoconical 18 in shape so that in the event of the container being tipped only the barrel 32 of the syringe, and not the needle 34, will possibly strike the body of the container. The container is made of a durable, unbreakable, plastics material that is easily cleaned and can hold most types of conventional antiseptic or sterilizing solutions, e.g isopropal alcohol. A cap 12 screws onto the cylindrical portion 20. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Container for disposable hypodermic syringes The present invention relates to a container for storing disposable hypodermic syringes which provides protection for the syringe and needle and which is capable of holding a sterilizing or antiseptic solution so that the syringe and needle can be cleaned and reused.

Since the invention and common use of the syringe, syringe storage systems have been required. It has been a particular concern to maintain the needle of the syringe in an adequately sterile or antiseptic state. In addition, it has been found necessary and desirable to provide syringe storage containers which also allow the syringe to be easily and conveniently transported. The prior art, however, does not disclose any fully satisfactory storage system, particularly for use with modern disposable syringes.

One example of an early attempt to solve the problem of syringe storage employed a three-piece glass container. The container had a base with a glass cylinder extending upwardly from the base such that the barrel and needle of the syringe could fit into the glass cylinder and such that a liquid could be held in the cylinder. Resting on the top of the cylindrical portion of the base was a receptacle large enough to enclose the remainder of the body and handle of the syringe. Finally, a lid rested on top of the receptacle.

An antiseptic solution could be placed into the cylindrical portion of the base and the needle of the syringe immersed in the solution. The other parts of the container could be added to provide a totally enclosed environment for the syringe. However, the container was easily breakable and its component parts could easily become disengaged.

More compact and transportable syringe holders were later developed. These holders were often generally cylindrical in shape. Several of these devices employed various internal subcontainers which would slide into the main cylindrical body of the holder. Some devices even employed spring mechanisms in conjunction with the internal parts of the containers in order to place the various parts of the device in the correct position within the device.

Even with the complex design of these devices, the problem of adequately protecting the tip of the needle remained. In order to assure that the needle did not slide to the bottom of the container, several prior art devices included coil springs or other similar types of inserts in the main containers. The needle would then rest within the interior of the coils and, if properly designed, the tip of the needle would be prevented from striking the bottom of the container.

This type of device is not acceptable for use with modern disposable syringes. Disposable syringes are generally smaller than conventional syringes and include delicate needles. As a result, it is necessary to protect the entire needle, not just the needle tip, from collision with foreign objects. Most prior art syringe containers provided insufficient protection for the needle as a whole.

One solution to some of the problems discussed was to provide separate storage compartments for the body of the syringe and the needle. Each component was provided with appropriately sized holders which are then placed within the main container. This, however, necessitated the disassembly of the syringe in order for it to be stored and the reassembly of the syringe before it could again be used. In the case of disposable syringes, this type of container is not particularly useful because disposable syringes are often manufactured as a single integral structure which cannot be easily disassembled.

It will be appreciated that the storage of dispus- able syringes presents many unique problems not previously encountered in the art. Disposable syringes are often used directly by the patient or his family to treat conditions such as diabetes or serious allergy conditions. This is in contrast to the traditional use of syringes only by medical professionals.

Where medical professionals have many years of experience and training in the care and use of syringes, the lay person is likely to be relatively unskilled in their use. Forthis reason, among others, it is the usual practice for disposable syringes to be used only once and then immediately discarded.

This procedure helps assure that only needles which are clean and in good condition are used for administering injections. The problem which develops, however, relates to the cost of syringes.

Individuals may require one or more injections per day. With each injection a new syringe is used and then discarded with the cost of the needed injections rising accordingly.

As discussed above, there exist certain containers which can be used to store syringes in a clean environment. However, until the development of the current device, there was no satisfactory container for storing disposable syringes of the type now generally in use. Prior art containers were directed to syringes used by medical professionals in their practice. They were not designed to hold relatively small disposable syringes with small delicate needles.

A related problem is the lack of an acceptable device and method for cleaning disposable syringes and then maintaining them in a sterile or antiseptic environment once they have been cleaned. Again, various complex and expensive containers have been developed for cleaning and containing syringes used by medical professionals. These containers, however, are not easily adaptable for use with disposable syringes because of the unique size and configuration of disposable syringes.

Similarly, many existing containers are complicated to use as well as easily breakable. Thus, if an inexperienced individual were to use these devices it is very likely that the expensive and complex device and the enclosed syringe could be damaged. This would result in an increase in cost, rather than the expected cost savings achieved by the current invention. Disposable syringes are also transported regularly by the patient, necessitating an easily transportable container system.

As a result, what is needed in the art is a container for storing disposable syringes between uses which can be easily used by a lay person. It would be an improvement in the art if such a container was simple to use and clean and was, in addition, easily transportable and unbreakable. Such a container would represent an advancement in the art if it could hold a syringe such that the needle would not collide with either the bottom of the container or the walls of the container. It would be a further advancement in the art if such a container could hold an antiseptic or sterilizing solution such that the needle of the syringe could be cleaned by the solution and the container closed to keep contaminants away from the syringe. Such methods and apparatus are disclosed and claimed below.

The present invention is a container specifically designed for storing disposable hypodermic syringes between uses. The container protects the entire syringe, including the needle, from damage or contamination. This is accomplished easily using a simple unbreakable container. The container is designed to hold a sterile or antiseptic solution in such a manner that the needle of the syringe rests in the solution.

The container is essentially a plastic bottle together with a plastic lid. The top of the bottle includes threads which allow the lid to simply be screwed onto the top of the bottle. The bottle itself has a generally flat base so that it can stand upright.

Extending upwardly from the base is the body of the container. The body of the container is generally frustoconical in shape. A generally cylindrical top portion then extends upwardly from the top of the body portion. The cylindrical top portion is larger in diameter than the opening or throat into the frustoconical body portion. The top portion, as discussed above, has threads so that a lid can be easily twisted onto the bottle. Each portion of the bottle performs an important and unique function.

When in use, a sterile or antiseptic solution will be poured into the container. Enough of the solution will be added to submerse the needle of a disposable syringe when the syringe is positioned within the device. The device is made of an unbreakable material, such as plastic, so that there is virtually no chance that the device will leak, break or be punctured in routine use, resulting in a secure and clean environment for the needle.

The handle of a typical disposable syringe and its plunger are larger in diameter than the top of the throat into the frustoconical body. The other parts of the syringe, however, are smaller in diameter than the cylindrical top portion of the container. As a result, the wider upper portions of the syringe will rest on the connection between the body and top portion of the container, while the remainder of the syringe, including the needle, will extend into the interior of the body of the container.

The height of the container is such that the needle will not come into contact with the container's base.

In addition, the frustoconical shape of the body is such thatthere is essentially no chance that the needle will collide with the side of the container. If the container is tipped and the syringe comes into contact with the side of the container, only the barrel of the syringe will touch the side. The needle itself is insulated and protected from collisions with the container.

The device is easy for a lay person to use. In order to clean and store á syringe, the container need only be filled with the appropriate amount of fluid and the syringe placed into the container. The cap can then be secured onto the container so that the syringe can be kept clean and secure. When the syringe is needed the cap is simply removed and the syringe lifted out of the container.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a container which is capable of storing disposable syringes between uses.

It is a related object of the present invention to provide a sterile or antiseptic environment for the storage of a disposable syringe in which the syringe, particularly the needle, is protected from damage or breakage.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a container for holding a disposable syringe which is a simple in construction and use such that a person with no medical training can easily and efficiently make use of the container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a container for holding a disposable syringe which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the container of the present invention with the cap in place; Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the present invention together with a disposable syringe positioned within the container; and, Figure 3 is a top plan view of the container of the present invention with its cap removed, and without a syringe in place.

The present invention can be best understood by reference to the drawings wherein like parts are designated with like numerals throughout. Referring more particularly to Figure 1, the container of the present invention is illustrated and generally designated 10. The container 10, including its cap 12, is constructed of any acceptable material, such as a durable plastic material, having the properties discussed more fully below.

The present invention 10 is comprised of two primary parts. These parts include the container 14 and the cap 12. The container 14, in turn, has three main structural features in the illustrated embodiment. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the container 14 has a generally flat base 16, a generallyfrustoconical body 18, and a cylindrical upper portion 20. Each of the three main structural features of the container 14 of the present invention 10 performs a unique and specific function.

Base 16 is constructed such that it is easily capable of securely supporting the remainder of container 10. As mentioned above, base 16 will be generally flat, however, it may be desirable to have a slight indentation within the centre of base 16 to assure that the container rests flat against any surface on which it is placed. Base 16 will be large enough to adequately support container 10, consistent with the design of the remainder of the container. While various sizes are, of course possible, in one present ly preferred embodiment the base 16 is approxi mately 1 1/4 inches (3.2 cm) in diameter.

Extending upwardly from base 16 is the container body 18. Body 18, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is generally frustoconical in shape. As will be discussed more fully below, the shape of the body 18 is chosen in order to prevent any possible damage to a syringe placed within the container 10 and to provide stability for the container while it rests on a surface. The body 18 extends upwardly a sufficient distance to assure that the syringe's needle 34 will not contact base 16. While the height of body 18 could of course vary greatly in order to accommodate a variety of different sizes of syringes, in one preferred embodiment body 18 is approximately 41/4 inches (10.8 cm) high. This height is adequate to accommodate most widely used disposable syringes.

Finally, the top of container 14 is a generally cylindrical upper portion 20. As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, upper portion 20 and the body 18 are joined by a generally disk shaped shelf 22 which partially defines a throat 24 through which the cylindrical upper portion 20 communicates with the body 18.

The diameter of throat 24 is specifically chosen to enable the needle 34 and the barrel 32 of a dispos able syringe to pass through into the interior of the body 18, but to prevent the handle 33 of the syringe from passing below shelf 22. The handle of syringe 33 rests on shelf 22. Thus, because of the size of throat 24 and the height of body 18, the needle 34 and the syringe barrel 32 are suspended spaced from the base 16 and the interior walls of the container 14.

The upper portion 20 is wide enough to accommodate the handle 33 of a syringe. Upper portion 20 also has threads 26 on its outer surface to allow a cap 12 with cooperating threads to be secured to the body of the container 14 in threaded engagement.

Thus, the container can be easily closed and secured.

The body 14 of the container can be made in any conventional manner and using any conventional process. The material must, however, be non-toxic and insoluble in the various sterile or antiseptic solutions, such as isopropyl alcohol, which are expected to be used within container 10. In addition, the material should be one which is durable, yet easy to clean, and which can withstand cleaning with boiling water.

As mentioned above, the second primary element of the container is the cap 12. Cap 12 is expected to be an ordinary plastic cap manufactured in any conventional manner. Cap 12 will contain threads 28 as illustrated in Figure 2 which are capable of engaging threads 26 on the upper portion 20 of the container 10.

As shown in Figure 1, cap 12 may also contain a plurality of small grip ribs 30 along its outside surface so that the cap can be easily gripped and turned. As a result, it is a simple task to secure or remove the cap 12. The cap 12 is gripped with the aid of the grip ribs 30 and secured to, or removed from the container 14 by causing the threads 28 on the cap to engage, or disengage, those on the container 14.

The container 10 of the present invention is simple to use. This simplicity of use is an important feature of the present invention in that it is expected that many users of the invention 10 will be inexperienced in medical practice. In orderto use the container 14, a user first removes the cap 12 from the container 14.

As mentioned above, the cap 12 is easily twisted off by gripping the cap with the aid of grip ribs 30. Once the container 14 is open, an appropriate storage solution can be poured into the container 14. Enough solution is added so that a needle 34, as illustrated in Figure 2, will be totally immersed in solution when placed within the container 14. As mentioned above, the solution added can be any appropriate antiseptic or sterilizing solution such that the needle 34 will be kept in a clean environment while inside container 14. One solution which has been found to be satisfactory is an aqueous solution of isopropyl alcohol.

Once the desired solution is in place within the container 14, a syringe, as illustrated in Figure 2, can be placed within the container 14. The needle 34 and the barrel 32 of the syringe will easily slide through throat 24. The handle 33 of the syringe, however, will be prevented from entering the interior of body 18 by shelf 22. The throat 24 is smaller in diameter than the diameter of the handle 33 of the syringe.

Figure 2 illustrates a syringe properly in place in container 14. Container 14 is designed such that the needle 34 is held a safe distance from base 16. In addition, the generally frustoconical shape of the body 18 assures that the needle will not strike body 18 if the device is tipped. If the device is tipped to one side the barrel 32 of the syringe may come to rest abutting the body 18 of the container 14. However, it will be appreciated that the needle will be held away from the body 18 because the barrel 32 of the syringe will rest flat against the body 18.

Once the syringe is properly in place the cap 12 is simply twisted back onto container 14. The cap seals the interior of the invention 10 so that no contaminants will reach the needle 34. The syringe is prevented from moving excessively and the needle 34 is thus protected. As a result, the container can be easily transported or stored with very little chance of damaging or contaminating the syringe or the needle 34. In addition, the weight of the liquid in the container will tend to stabilize the container 10 because of its frustoconical shape.

When it is again time to use the syringe, the cap 12 is simply twisted from the container 14. The syringe is then withdrawn and used as necessary. Once the injection is completed, the syringe can easily be reinserted into container 14. This process can be repeated several times as long as the syringe and its needle 34 remain in good condition. This method of use is in direct contrast to the usual method of using disposable syringes whereby the syringe is used once and then immediately discarded.

It will be noted that the present invention 10 is easy and convenient to clean and maintain. The container 14 is preferred to be formed of a single continuous piece of durable, yet reasonable flexible, plastic material. The shape of the container makes it easy to wash, and indeed, a small scrubbing brush could be easily inserted into the container 14 through throat 24. In addition, the container 14 will be capable of being cleaned using boiling water or a hot soap solution without any danger of damaging the container 14. The ability to clean the container using a variety of methods further increases the scope of usefulness of the container 14.

In summary, the present invention provides a container which enables a user to reuse disposable syringes for as long as they remain in good condition. This quite obviously, significantly reduces the cost of allergy, insulin or other types of repeated injections. The container is easy for a lay person to use and maintain. Thus, the individuals who are the primary users of disposable syringes can easily make use of the present invention. The present invention provides a secure and uncontaminated environment for syringes stored witnin the container 14. The present invention 10 can be easily transported without taking any extraordinary precautions and the container 14 is unbreakable. The present invention 10 is also easy and inexpensive to manufacture so that it can be provided inexpensively to the user.

Claims (23)

1. A container for storing a disposable hypodermic syringe comprising a body having a base capable of supporting the container in an upright position, said body being substantiallyfrustoconical in shape in its lower portion, means for supporting the syringe and suspending the needle of the syringe spaced from the base and the interior walls of the body, and means for closing said container.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein the means for supporting the syringe and suspending the needle of the syringe spaced from the base and the interior walls of the body comprises a shelf disposed above the frustoconical portion of the body and partially defining a throat into the lower portion of the body.

3. A container according to claim 2 wherein the shelf is formed in unity with the body.

4. A container according to any of the preceding claims wherein the body has an upper portion which is substantially cylindrical and is larger in inside diameter than the outside diameter of a typical disposable syringe.

5. A container according to claim 4 wherein threads are disposed on the upper portion of the body and the means for closing the container comprises a cap capable of engaging the upper portion of the body in threaded engagement.

6. A container according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein said means for closing the container comprises a cap which is capable of being attached to the container.

7. A container according to any of the preceding claims wherein the container is constructed of durable unbreakable material.

8. A container according to any of the preceding claims wherein the container is constructed of a material capable of sterilization.

9. Acontainerforstoring a disposable hypodermic syringe comprising a body having a base capable of supporting the container in an upright position, said body being substantially frustoconical in shape in its lower portion and substantially cylindrical in its upper portion, means for holding a syringe in a desired position vertically with respect to the base of the container comprising an annular shelf disposed at the juncture between the upper and lower portions of the body, said shelf defining a throat, the body of said container which is smaller in diameter than the outside diameter of the handle portion of a typical disposable syringe, and means for closing the container comprising a cap having threads on its interior surface which are capable of engaging the threads disposed on the outside surface of said upper portion of the body.

10. A container according to claim 9 wherein the annular shelf is formed in unity with the body.

11. A container according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the container is constructed of durable unbreakable material.

12. A container according to any of claims 9 to 11 wherein the container is constructed of a material capable of sterilization.

13. A method for storing a disposable syringe comprising the steps of: (a) providing a container comprising a body having a base capable of supporting the container, a lower portion which is substantially frustoconical in shape, a cylindrical upper portion disposed above the lower portion of the body and a throat between the upper and lower portions of the body; said throat being smaller in diameter than the diameter of the handle of a typical disposable syringe and larger in diameter than the diameter of the barrel of a typical disposable syringe thereby defining a shelf intermediate of the upper and lower portions of the body, and a cap which is capable of closing the container; (b) opening the container by removing the cap; (c) placing a quantity of antiseptic solution into the container; (d) placing a disposable syringe within said container such that the needle and the barrel of the syringe extend through the throat and into the body but remain spaced from the base and such that the handle of the syringe rests on the shelf; and (e) securing the cap on the container to seal the interior of the body and the disposable syringe from contamination.

14. A method according to claim 13 further comprising the step of assuring said container is clean by submersing said container in boiling water, removing said container from said boiling water and allowing said container to dry prior to step (c).

15. A method according to claim 13 further comprising the step of assuring said container is clean by washing said container in a soap solution, rinsing said container and allowing said container to dry prior to step (c).

16. A method for storing a disposable syringe according to any of claims 13,14, or 15 wherein the antiseptic solution is isopropyl alcohol.

17. A method for storing a disposable syringe according to any of claims 13 to 16 wherein sufficient antiseptic solution is placed into said container to totally immerse the needle of the disposable syringe when the syringe is placed within the container.

18. A method for storing a disposable syringe according to any of claims 13 to 17 wherein said cap is secured to the body by threaded engagement.

19. A method according to any of claims 13 to 18 further comprising the steps of: (f) reopening the container by removing the cap; (g) withdrawing the syringe from the body of the container; (h) using the syringe to perform an injection; (i) returning the syringe to the container; and (j) securing the cap on the container.

20. A method according to claim 19 wherein steps (f) through (j) are repeated.

21. A method according to claim 13 and substantially as herein described.

22. A container according to claim 1 or claim 9 and substantially as herein described.

23. A container for storing a disposable hypodermic syringe substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.